Passengers were also kept from boarding with any beverages or items such as toothpaste, shampoo or suntan lotion. Airport officials are talking with food and beverage vendors along the concourse to determine whether liquids and gels should be pulled from shelves while the heightened restrictions remain in place, Graham said.

All of the arriving and departing flights Thursday afternoon did so on schedule, but by Thursday night, several flights were delayed by as much as an hour as delays at larger airports affected Savannah flights.

Lynda Ferguson wasn't kept from bringing lipstick and perfume on board when she flew out of Flint, Mich., about 4 a.m. Thursday, but by the time she got to Atlanta later that morning, security personnel asked her to remove the items from her purse, she said.

Ferguson, of Clarkston, Mich., landed in Savannah before heading to a Hilton Head Island vacation with husband, Peter. The added security didn't slow their travel plans, she said.

Pat and Pam Cleary and daughters Brooke and Brianna, arrived in Savannah on Thursday to scout colleges. The Connecticut family had to surrender suntan lotion and hand cream, but was unfazed by the loss.